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Hotsy-Totsy
A Review By Paule Pachter, September 16, 2006

Somewhere in New Orleans ninth ward is an exceptional torch singer that appears to be a cross between Cyndi Lauper and Betty Boop. Her name is Linnzi Zaorski, and in the broad field of New Orleans Jazz artists she is an extreme breath of fresh air. Her voice maybe somewhat high pitched and she might be playing it all up as camp, but Linnzi Zaorski is a unique musical commodity and her CD, â€œHotsy Totsyâ€ is a sheer delight to listen to.

Ms. Zaorski is the kind of artist that you find standing in front of a 1940s style microphone, in a long flowing black gown, gardenia in her hair, and lighted so gently as to only see two pair of fire red lips belt out the tunes of Duke Ellington, George and Ira Gershwin, and Johnny Mercer to a smoke filled cabaret. She and her â€œHotsy Totsyâ€ CD are a throwback to an era that many might have forgot. But in recording these classics, Ms. Zaorski compels us to discover such gems as â€œHernandoâ€™s Hideaway;â€ â€œI Canâ€™t Give You Anything But Love;â€ â€œCaravan;â€ and â€œAll Of Me,â€ as well as nine other exquisitely delivered tunes. Backed up by a capable group of musicians including Seva Venet (guitar), Charlie Fardella (trumpet), Robert Snow (bass), Matt Rhody (violin), and Chaz Leary (washboard), Ms. Zaorski and Delta Royale transport you to another place and time when Technicolor wasnâ€™t the norm and times were simple, and people still dressed up to go out on a Saturday night.

Linnzi Zaorskiâ€™s â€œHotsy Totsyâ€ earns a hot five peppers for its unique musical appeal. You can purchase this CD and learn more about this wonderful artist online directly from her website at: www.linnzizaorski.com.

Take a glas of red wine, dim the lights and sit back to be transported into a 1930's lounge. Linnzi Zaorski has her own signature phrasing and a vocal timbre that grabs your attention and holds it. The supporting musicians are also very good and are able to create the essence of 1930's swing. A Great singer that deserves a far larger audience and recognition.

Forget comparisons to any other jazz singer. Just listen with an open ear and you will hear a voice with the ability deliver true lyrical phrasing. She doesn't yell, she doesn't whisper, she doesn't cry -- she doesn't have to, at least not to my ears. If I had been a friend of Bill Evans, and one day, I would had been in his home with him at the piano, and I would be hearing him play for himself one morning after breakfast, then, that is what I could compare her delivery to. This comparison may not make much sense but what I am trying to say is that she is relaxed, original, sincere, intelligent, and very meaningful. In addition, the band members are the cream of the New Orleans jazz scene.